‘That kid is a fighter’: St. Thomas teen fighting for her life after crash with grain truck

A St. Thomas teenager is fighting for her life after a crash with a grain truck. CTV London's Brent Lale reports.

Heather and Jeff Denison believe it’s a miracle their daughter is still alive.

“We’re holding on a glimmer of hope,” said Heather.

Their daughter Hadley, a Grade 12 student at Parkside Collegiate Institute in St. Thomas, Ont., was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her best friend, which collided with a grain truck Friday afternoon at the intersection of Quaker Road and Southdale Line.

The plan was initially to take her to the trauma centre at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), but due to her critical condition, it was necessary to take her to St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.

“It was a perfect storm that these two surgeons happened to be there,” said Heather. “A trauma doctor was in emerge, an open operating room with an available anesthetist.”

Heather said her daughter lost so much blood.

“They gave her 17 units of red blood cells, which is probably a record,” said Heather.

“We were getting ready to go to London and her status changed. Dr. (Paul) Collins said, ‘Let’s get her into the O.R.’ (Operating Room). They removed her spleen, and her liver’s got a grade-four fracture. That surgery ultimately saved her life.”

With a massive head trauma including skull fractures and significant brain swelling, the Denison family was given a couple of options.

“We were given the option of pulling the plug,” said Jeff.

“Yeah, we could do nothing, and she would die, or have surgery and still have an 80 per cent chance of dying in the O.R.,” added Heather.

After she was stabilized, the transport team from LHSC came to get her.

Upon arrival, they were met at the doors and sent for a CT scan.

Saturday, she went for neurosurgery.

“She’s had the front of her skull removed, and she is holding her own and fighting more than they can believe,” said Heather.

“Another CT scan shows it isn’t worse, and it’s better than we can hope for. We’re holding on a glimmer of hope, and we’ll know more on Monday when they repeat the MRI. That kid is a fighter.”

Heather, a 25-year pediatric oncology charge nurse at LHSC, has seen her community rally around the family.

“The role reversal is surreal,” said Heather. “I obviously respected them (co-workers) before, but LHSC and St. Thomas, I’m blown away by the level of care and compassion that we have received,” she added.

“(It’s) been unbelievable what St. Thomas and the surrounding community and LHSC have done,” said Jeff.

“I cannot believe that every single person from this health-care team has rallied behind us, like we’re getting the best care.”

Heather’s co-workers started an online fundraising campaign to cover expenses of mileage, food, time away from work, their dog’s care, and other expenses while they stay by their daughter’s side.

By Sunday, it had reached $30,000.

While she has remained stable, they know they are not out of the woods. She remains in critical condition and, while stable, they know things could turn for the worse.

“She is fighting tooth and nail,” said Heather. “She has so many drains and tubes coming out of her, like that kid is a fighter and has been for her whole life. She is just filled with positivity and perseverance.”